Axes and Coordinates

Basic,

Graphs are constructed using a horizontal scale and a vertical scale. The horizontal scale is known as the x-axis, and the vertical scale is known as the y-axis. The values on the scale for the x-axis increase from left to right; and for the y-axis from bottom to top.

To plot a point, read along the x-axis then up the y-axis. Point A on the graph is 2 along on the x-axis, and 8 up the y-axis. The location of the point, when given in terms of x and y, are the coordinates of the point, and are shown in brackets with the x-coordinate given first. The coordinate of point A is (2, 8). Similarly, point B has coordinates of (4, 7).

Point C is located on the x-axis. The coordinate for C is (6, 0), which is 6 along and none up.

Additional and Higher: not all coordinates are integers. Point D has coordinates of (4.5, 4.6).

Examples

1. What are the coordinates of point E on the graph, above?

Answer: (8,2)

The point is 8 along, and 2 up.

2. What are the coordinates of point F?

Answer: (2.6, 1.7)

(2.6, 1.7)

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